Tire chain tool



Sept. 7, ,1943- w.- R R'QYER 2,328,680 Tmncmm Toon Filed opt. 11.` 1940 s Sheets-sheet 2 mvENToR Wilham R, Royer BY MM 3' ATTORNEYS TW Septn 7, 1943. w @MYER 2,328,680 TIRE CHAIN Toon Filed im'. 11; 1940 s sheets-sneu :s

Patented Sept. 7,

- UNITED. f

STATES PATENT OFFICE ma CHAIN Tool. william n. noyer, Wilkes-Barre, Ps. Application `October 11, 1940, Serial No. 360,720

4 claims. ,(01. fx1-15.8)

This invention relates to a tire chain tool which is` designed to be used for guiding the securing strap of an anti-skid chain unit around the tire and has for an object the provision of improvements in this art.

The public is now familiar with the type of anti-skid chain which consists of one or more transverse chains and a fabric strap forsecuring the chain on the tire. The dimculties of placing these chain unitsona tire are also well known.

These dimculties are increased by the modern trend toward deep-well fenders which cover so much of the tire and make it practically impossible to` reach behind the tire except near the ground. As a consequence it is often necessary to move the car after each chain unit is applied,

thus making the total time for applying the `l chains considerable.

Of course, the application of the chain units is easier when the wheel happens to be of the spoked type with ample space between spokes, but such wheels are now almost obsolete and many cars are equipped with disc wheels which provide only small holes for the straps of skid chains. Others have no openings at all; and when openings are made they will naturally be formed as small as possible. .In general, however, the space through the wheel is very small and it is desirable to have a. tool to assistin applying the chains. In any event, such a tool is advantageous because it minimizes the soiling of clothes and hands.

In view of this problem certain tools have heretofore been designed for carrying the chain strap around the tire. However, all such tools with which applicant is acquainted have `various faults for practicaluse. For one thing, some'of them are made with joints to enable them to be folded within a small space, and this causes them to fold in use at times. For another thing,these joints or other obstructions cause the tool to catch on the tire or parts of the wheel to obstruct the operation. Further, the coupling for the tool to the strap is unsatisfactory and often so large as to be incapable of passing through the small openings provided therefor.

According -to the presentinventi'on there'is provided a tool comprising a continuous thin resilientat band which is free from obstructions along its length and which has at its end ancillcient coupling for the chain, strap which will pass through a 'hole' which is little larger than thecross-section ofthe band. --'I`n particular, the

couplingis designed' to thread itselfy and 'the acom-panying chain strap easily'back through the hole through the wheel. The band is in the form of a smooth spring coil which has no abrupt bends and which cannot readily be deformed into angular bends, `but which on the other hand can be reduced to a.coil of small size when not in use. The invention also comprehends the inclusion of a convenient holder for the coil,` which holder may be in the form of a closed container or a loop to embrace the several wound-up layers of the coil.

e above as well as various other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of certain illustrative embodiments thereof which are shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view, partly in section, showing one embodiment in use;i

Fig. 2 is a side view showing the end of the tool band being threaded through lan opening in the wheel; i.

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the` chain strap being drawn through the wheel opening;

Fig. 4 is an edge view of the band in its wound-up condition;

Fig. 5 is a top angle view of` a modied coupling device in open position? Fig. 6 is a similar view after the chain strap .y has been secured in the tool strap coupling;

Fig. 7. shows the device of Figs. 5 and 6 in wound-up condition;

Fig. 8 is a at sectioJ through a modied form of'tool and its container;

Fig. 9 is a top view of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 isa perspective view of another modiiication in coiled condition;

Fig. i11 is an angular plan view of the device in uncoiled condition;

Fig. 12 is a view of one end of the device showing another way ofattaching a strap;.and

Il iig.l 13 is an enlarged detail.

Referring to Figs. 1-4, the tool comprises a smooth at resilient coiled band I5 which is free from angular bendsror projections along its length, a coupling device IB at the outer end of the band, and a holder I1 atits inner end. In this embodiment the holder is formed as a closed loop which is hinged to a closed coil i8 formed onv the inner end of the band. `The nger of the operator may be passed through this 'coilv in using` the tool. The holder loop is adapted to receive several turns. of the resilient strap when it is wound up,'as shown in Fig. 4. In this posiv tion the strap coupling device may be secured to the liolderloop, also as shown in Fig. 4, to keep the band from uncoiling. The coil i0 is made large enough to avoid passing through the holder loop It will also be noticed from Fig.

1 that the coil I8 is of suflicient size to deter the passage of this end of the tool through the opening 28 in the wheel, the wheel in this view being formed as a disc 2|.v The tire is indicated at 22 in general cross-section, no attempt being made to show the details of the tire, tube and rim.

The coupling device comprises a narrow flat hook 25and a slidable sleeve 26 adapted to move over the hook, as shown in Figs. l, 3 and 4, or oi the hook, as shown in Fig. 2. A projection or protuberance may be provided on the strap toV prevent the sleeve fromslipping too far back, the projection being smooth so as 'not tocatch during use.

The tool is used as shown in Figs, 1-3. In Fig. 2 the coupling end of the tool has ybeen inserted through the opening 20 in the wheel and is pushed upward, coiling toward or against the tire because of its coiled shape and inherent springy character as it moves around the tire. The sleeve 26 may be off the hook 25 of the coupling device at this time.y When the band end has reached the front side of the tire the -hook 25 is passed through la hole 3|) in the end of thestrap 3| of the tire chain unit 32 and is secured by the sleeve 26. The band is then pulledl back with the strap, as showny in Fig. 3, untill the end of the strap comes through the wheel opening 28 where it can be grasped. The coupling member is sufficiently small to pass easily with the strap through the opening. During. this threading movement if the sleeve 26 rubs lon the y tire it will only move morey securely down on the hook: It does not matter if. the sleeve rubs oil' the hook in Fig. 2.

'f After use the band may the holder loop |1 a number ofxtimes until a be threadedl'through 'smallsize is attained andthe hook 'then secured 40 to the-end of the loop. as shown in .Fig. 4.

AIn Figs. 5, 6 and 'l a modificationis shown- 'in which the inner coil of the band iseliminated and in which the coupling device isformed to grasp the chain strap without requiring a hole therein. Here the coupling |67 comprises a roughened end 25', as of teeth struck up fromthe'material,

and pointing inward and a sleeve.26' adapted to slide over` the end. 'I'he inner end of the sleeve` is tapered to grip the strap upon the teeth'of the band. -Sideiianges 40 of less height thanv the thickness oi' the strap are provided for holding the strap laterally. The inner ends of the anges also engage the tapered end of the sleeve to keep it from slipping oi the band. A projection," on the band prevents the sleeve, from moving back too far along the band. A hookv 42 secured `to the holder loop engages a hole .4'3 inthe end oi the band I5' to hold'wthe tool in"4 coiled v In the embodiment shown in Figs. 8 and!) the l holder |1" is formed as a short cylindrical containerhaving an edge 'opening Ila through which 4the, band |51' passes in and out. A loop I8" is In the second form the formed on the inner end of the band. This may be a fully closed loop which will prevent complete withdrawal of the band or it may, as shown, be an open loop which can be sprung to vpermit complete removal of the band. In the latter case the loop serves as a linger grip for manipulating the tool. v

The coupling device I6" mayv be-like either.

of the previous forms. As shown it is made as a ilat hook v25 with a sleeve 26". The outer end of the hook is suiiiciently deep to resist entry into the opening Ila, considering the angle of entry of the tape; `but if desired the sleeve may be left well down on the tape so that the hook will engage over the peripheral Wall of the holder at the edge of the hole. The band may be narrowed in the region in which the sleeve operates, the edge shoulders |5a limiting its sliding movement. The spring band, being relatively stiff, may readily be' pushed back in the container after use.

In the modification shown in Figs. 10-13 thel band I53 is provided with a coil |83 at its inner end and with a modiiled coupling'device |63 at its outer end. 'I'his coupling device comprises one or more openings 45 through which the strap 3|:i is adapted to be threaded and `a lip or tab 46 beneathy which the end of the strap may be secured. The edges of the openings may be serrated, as shown, the better to engage the strap,

though the sharp edges of the thin band metal (for example, 25 gauge spring brass or steel) will grip well even without vthe serrations. The

strap may be threaded through oneof the open,v

ings, as shown in Fig. 11, or through both of them, as shown in Fig. 12, the latter disposition providing adequate grip for evenl a. very thinA band is made wide at the coil I83 and is narrowed back therefrom ,at 50 to provide stop shoulders 5| for the hooks. Further along, the band is narrowed more, asI at the tapered shoulders 52, to provide aportion sumciently narrow Vtoenter between the hooks. This is all shown clearlyin Fig. 13. If desired, the narrowest portion of the band may extend throughout most ofits length, continuing from the tapered shoulders 52 almost to the tab 48.

It will be obvious that this device with the chain strap coupled theretois not much thicker than the strap alone and that the parts are so directed as to present the minimum obstruction topulling the end of the strap through the holes in the wheel rim, it being noted particularly by reference to Figs. 10, l1 and 12 that the tab 48 is tapered from its outer surface to its root or point of attachment to the band. It .may ,be very quickly coiled up, as shown in Figs; 10 and 13,'the resiliency'oi.' theband beingv sufficient to pull the shoulders 5| back against thefhooks 48 to maintainthe coiled disposition.` In this and yallvother gforms the band hasv an inherent resiliency' and g permanent set to take a position of radius smaller `than the tireradius and greater than the radius -oithe smallest lcoil into which. it is formed Afor storage. -f

way in using the tool.

It is thus seen that the invention provides a skid chain applying tool which is very handy in use and which may be stowed in a very small space when not in use. It is adapted to pass through very small wheel openings and does notV resist movement in either direction. On the return movement it assists in threading back through the opening. It does not catch against the tire but its spring coil shape causes it to follow along the tire wall as it moves around toward the front of the tire. It is naturally curved smoothly and resists bending into langular shapes.v

Whilel certain embodiments of the invention have been described it is to be understoodthat the invention may have various embodiments within thelimits of the prior art and the scope outer end of the strap may be secured, said tab being disposed longitudinally of the band and openingtoward the end of the band so as to receiveI the end'of the chain strap as it emerges from the opening.

2. A skid chain applying tool comprising a smooth iiat band without obstructions between its ends and having a permanent resiliency in a coiled shape, manipulating means at one end of the band, coupling means at the other end for engaging the end of a chain strap, hooks forming a recess at one end of the band for embracing several thicknesses of the band, and a widened portion and shoulders on the other end of the 3 band adapted tol be eng-aged bythe hooks for holding the band in coiled-up position.

3. A skid chain applying tool# comprising a 'smooth at band without obstructions between its end zones and having la permanent resiliency in a coiled shape of curvature less than that o't a tire with which it is to be used but greater than its curvature when coiled upon itself one or more times, `a small permanent coil in one end of the band for manipulating it with the ngers, y a doubly narrowed portion adjacent the coil the wider part of which endsin side shoulders, coupling means at the .other end of 'the band for securing the end oi' the chain strap to the band, and overhanginghooks at the end of the band for engaging the coil end of the strap at the narrowed portion and shoulders for holding it resiliently coiled upon itself.

4. A skid chain applying tool comprising a smooth at band without obstructions between its end zones and having a permanent resiliency in a coiled shape of curvature less than that of a tire with which it is to be used but greater than its curvature when coiledupon itself one or more times, a small permanent coil in one end of the band for manipulating it with the ngers, a

doubly narrowed portion adjacent the coil the wider part of which endsv in side shoulders, lcoupling means at'the other end' of the band for securing the end of a chain strap to the band, and overhanging hooks at the end of the band for engaging the coil end of the strap at the narrowed portion and lshoulders for holding it resiliently coiled upon itself, said coupling means including two spaced openings for the strap, a tab open toward the end of the band adapted to overlie the end of the strap and retain it against one face of the band, flanges adjacent the ends of said openings adapted t'o retain the sides of the strap, and overhanging side cleats between the openings and the tab to hold the strap to the band.

WILLIAM R. ROYER. 

